I would like to rear chickens and bees for commercial purposes. Early on before the drought, I had a lot of cows and goats but they all died due to dehydration. It downgraded my life and now I would prefer to rear livestock that sells easily such as chickens and bees that can survive at every season.

I would like to rear chickens and bees for commercial purposes. Early on before the drought, I had a lot of cows and goats but they all died due to dehydration. It downgraded my life and now I would prefer to rear livestock that sells easily such as chickens and bees that can survive at every seoson.

I am a farmer, I cultivate green grams and vegetables and rear goats for commercial purposes. During the drought season that we are currently experiencing, I have transitioned to producing charcoal and selling it because I can no longer continue with farming due to lack of water. From the charcoal business, I get $4 a week which is very little to cater to my family's needs. I have nine children that need school fees, clothing, and food. I have been struggling to buy food for the family, sometimes when I do not have money to buy food I send them to my father and some to my friends to get a meal. The other problem I had is to build a house that is conducive for my big family. Previously I has a single room the walls had holes that were big enough for rodents and snakes to get into the house, this devasted me, and when I received the first transfer that was the first project I started with. The first transfer did not complete the house and when I received the second, I finished building a two-room house that was big for my family.

When I woke up at around 5am in the morning, I saw a message in my phone. Upon checking, it was the transfer of KES 55000.00 from GiveDirectly. My heart was filled with joy for it was a great start of the day. The happiness didn’t allow me to go back to sleep since I was used to waking up by 6.30am.

In my life, I hadn’t dreamt of owning an iron sheet roofed house due to house life was taking me. Things were very tough and I was only fending from hand to mouth so it wasn’t easy to dream of having a decent house. As at now I can say the transfer made a huge difference in my life since I own a house. The house has totally changed the view of my homestead. It is now pleasing and beautiful to be around.

Since I was living in a small grass-thatched house, I decided to build a good and spacious house. I bought the construction material that is; Iron sheets, nails and poles at KES 24000.00, KES 600.00 and KES 5000.00 respectively. Thereafter, I paid KES 8000.00 school fees for my children so that they can have conducive learning environment instead of being sent home every now and then for school fees. I also settled some bills from a shop where I used to pick some food stuff for my family. Since I received the transfer at a challenging season as far as the climate was concerned, I opted to keep the remaining money for the family upkeep.